Focus.November.

2012

2012 Celebration of Regional Growth

Leaders in the 21st Century Economy
The five companies that were honored at the seventh annual Celebration of Regional Growth (CORG) Awards have recently made a combined investment of more than $225 million and hundreds of jobs in the Greater Lansing region. The five CORG honorees were recognized for their economic commitment to the region at the November Economic Club luncheon. The 2012 CORG recipients are Bekum America Corporation, Capital Steel & Wire, Inc., Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, Lansing Board of Water and Light and Netvantage Marketing. These five organizations have made tremendous contributions to our region, said Tim Daman, president & CEO of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC). They also showcase the economic future of Greater Lansing in areas including energy and environmental leadership, a world-class arts museum, advanced manufacturing, growth in global markets and high technology. The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce began the Celebration of Regional Growth luncheon as a community celebration and recognition of organizations that have made significant investment in the Greater Lansing region. Each of the 2012 CORG honorees has an impressive story of growth, vision, leadership and commitment to the Greater Lansing region.

These five organizations have made tremendous contributions to our region. They also showcase the economic future of Greater Lansing in areas including energy and environmental leadership, a worldclass arts museum, advanced manufacturing, growth in global markets and high technology.
are widely known brands of some of your favorite cosmetic and shampoo bottles, food jars, detergent bottles and containers, as well as countless other plastic parts. Bekum was the first area company to receive grants from the State Export and Trade Promotion (STEP) program to help bolster its international presence. Bekum used the two grants to help fund trade trips to establish new business relationships in India and Ghana. With the STEP program, weve been able to reach out to non-traditional markets, said Bekums executive vice president and COO, Steven London. Bekum will continue to bolster its international efforts. The company recently invested $1 million in infrastructure upgrades and has plans to add staff to facilitate its growth.

and staff. The company invested $2 million in an abandoned Brownfield property in Mason and installed a cold draw bar mill which is already reaping dividends in the way of new business. We are able to improve output by 30 percent as a result of installing that one machine, said Capital Steel & Wire president Dustin Preston. Capital Steel has also invested $2 million in upgrades at its Sunset Blvd. production facility in Lansing, and $1 million into a new corporate headquarters in Dewitt. The companys growth led to the hiring of 15-20 new employees in the past year and a half.

eli ANd edyThe BrOAd ArT muSeum From the earliest stages of its development, it was clear that the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University would be much more than a Michael Rush building with an impressive art collection. The $45 million project, made possible by a $26 million grant from MSU graduate and philanthropist Eli Broad and his wide Edythe, is destined to be one of the leading university art museums in the world. The striking and contemporary building was designed by world-class architect Zaha Hadid and will serve as the connecting link between MSU and the entry to the City of East Lansing. The Broad Art Museum is already enhancing MSUs stature as a global leader, and is drawing interest from the arts community and major media outlets around the world. The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum seeks to be the cultural link in the global vision of Michigan State University, said Michael Rush, founding director of the Broad Art Museum. The Broad Art Museum is expected to attract students and tourists from around the world. The museums November opening represents a significant event in the cultural and economic fabric of the Greater Lansing region.
continued on page 8

Bekum AmericA cOrPOrATiON (iNTerNATiONAl TrAde AwArd) Bekum America Corporation was established in 1979 as the U.S subsidiary of Bekum Maschinenfabriken GmbH, the worlds leading provider of blow molding Steve London machines and technology. The Willamston-based company has designed, manufactured, sold and shipped thousands of blow molding machines and component parts to customers throughout North and Central America, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. The products that Bekums customers manufacture with their blow molding machines

cAPiTAl STeel & wire, iNc. In just 11 years, Capital Steel & Wire, Inc. has become a leading supplier of domestic and international steel bar, steel wire, and wire rod. Capital Steel Dustin Preston has established a diverse customer base in automotive, heavy truck, heavy equipment, hot forging, cold forming, oil and gas and fastener manufacturers. The company has experienced consistent growth ranging from 15-40 percent per year. Capital Steel has made several major investments the past couple of years in new facilities, equipment

Focus.November.2012

A Message From The President

The Celebration Continues
When the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce initiated the Celebration of Regional Growth (CORG) Awards in 2006, it was intended as an economic celebration and showcase for organizations that have made significant investments in the Greater Lansing region. That first luncheon recognized eight organizations that had launched major expansion projects or made other significant contributions to the regional economy. What is most rewarding to me is that our region continues to experience considerable investment by a diverse cross section of organizations that have experienced steady growth, even during challenging economic times. In fact, over the past seven years, CORG has honored 41 organizations that have combined to invest more than $1.5 billion in our regional economy! The 2012 CORG honorees are not only deserving, but they reflect a rich diversity of market sectors contributing to the 21st century economy of the Greater Lansing region. They represent large and small businesses, energy and infrastructure, technology, research and development, arts and culture and high-tech manufacturing. The lansing Board of water and lights state-of-the-art cogeneration plant in REO Town not only represents a major investment from a dollars and cents standpoint, it also underscores our regions leadership role in the transition to a more efficient and cleaner delivery of energy, which is vital for both our economy and the environment. The eli & edthye Broad Art museum is destined to be a transformational, internationally recognized arts and learning center that will attract new visitors and acclaim for MSU and our region. German-owned Bekum America corporation in Williamston is the third organization to be recognized with CORGs International Trade award. Bekum continues to expand their international markets for its blow molding machinery, and was the first organization to receive a grant from the State Export and Trade Promotion (STEP) program, which allowed Bekum to begin establishing new relationships overseas. capital Steel and wire, inc. is one of those under the radar success stories that needs to be told. As a leading supplier of steel bar, steel wire and steel rod, the company has expanded into a larger headquarters in Dewitt and put millions into various upgrades. Netvantage marketing is symbolic of our regions growth in technology and the knowledge-based economy as the first recipient of our new Emerging Economy Award. The East Lansing-based search engine marketing firm has opened a second office in Grand Rapids and serves a wide variety of major clients. The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce is proud of the investments being made by all 1,200 of our hard working member organizations. The Celebration of Regional Growth Awards annually gives us an opportunity to say thank you to a number of companies that are helping to make our region great.

2012 Board of Directors

Officers
CHAIR OF THE BOARD
Nancy McKeague
Michigan Hospital Association

PAST CHAIR
Ron Simon
Auto-Owners Insurance

Paula Cunningham
Capitol National Bank

CHAIR ELECT

LEGAL COUNSEL
Jeff Hicks
Hicks & Mullett, PLLC

Tim Daman
President and CEO Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce

TREASURER
Jeff Fineis
Andrews Hooper and Pavlik

PRESIDENT
Tim Daman
Lansing Regional Chamber

Division Directors
INTL BUSINESS SERvICES
Jean Schtokal
Foster, Swift, Collins and Smith, P.C.

The 2012 CORG honorees are not only deserving, but they reflect a rich diversity of market sectors contributing to the 21st century economy of the Greater Lansing region. They represent large and small businesses, energy and infrastructure, technology, research and development, arts and culture and high-tech manufacturing.

GOvERNmENT RELATIONS
Kevin McKinney
McKinney & Associates

mARKETING & COmmUNICATION

Joe Ford
Netvantage Marketing

mEmBERSHIP SERvICES
Deb Muchmore
Marketing Resource Group

At-Large
Farm Bureau Insurance

David Baker

Lansing Board of Water and Light

J. Peter Lark

Melanie Bergeron
Two Men & A Truck

Dave Mulder
Meijer, Inc.

Lon Bohannon
Neogen

Accident Fund Holdings

Steve Reynolds Tim Salisbury

PNC Bank

Leslie Brogan
Comcast

Jackson National Life Insurance

John Brown

Jason Sanders
Fifth Third Bank

Michigan State University

Mark Burnham Patrick Dean Pat Gillespie

Gillespie Group

Heather Shawa-DeCook
Demmer Corporation

Dean Transportation

Sparrow Health Systems

Dennis Swan Bob Trezise

LEAP, Inc.

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Focus.November.2012

News & Events

ThurSdAy, NOvemBer 1 CeLebRaTiOn Of ReGiOnaL GROwTh awaRDS, 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m., Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, East Lansing. The Celebration of Regional Growth Awards are sponsored by PNC and Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis & Gotting, P.C. Program begins at noon; please arrive early for registration & networking. This event is part of the 2012 Economic Club Speaker Series. Additional single tickets are $55 each (member) or $90 (nonmember), or tables of 8 for $400 (includes lunch). Pre-registration is required. To register for this event, please visit www.lansingchamber.org. wedNeSdAy, NOvemBer 7 DeLTa GOveRnMenT ReLaTiOnS COMMiTTee, 8 9 a.m. Lexington Lansing Hotel, 925 S. Creyts Rd., Lansing, MI 48917. The Delta Government Relations Committee meets the first Wednesday of each month to provide a forum for business leaders to discuss important issues affecting Delta Township. To ensure adequate seating, please RSVP to Jason Green at jgreen@lansingchamber.org. TueSdAy, NOvemBer 13 CaPiTaL ReGiOn TeChnOLOGy SPOTLiGhT anD MeMbeR MixeR, 3:30 - 7 p.m., ACD.net, 1800 N. Grand River Ave. Lansing, MI 48906. Doors open at 3:30 with an ACD Technology Spotlight from 4:00 5:00 p.m. ACD.net will be offering a variety of workshops, briefings and vendor tables, as well as tours of their data center. The Member Mixer will run from 5:00 7:00 p.m. $10 member, $30 non-member. Includes hors doeuvres. wedNeSdAy, decemBer 5 DeLTa GOveRnMenT ReLaTiOnS COMMiTTee, 8 9 a.m. Lexington Lansing Hotel, 925 S. Creyts Rd., Lansing, MI 48917. The Delta Government Relations Committee meets the first Wednesday of each month to provide a forum for business leaders to discuss important issues affecting Delta Township. To ensure adequate seating, please RSVP to Jason Green at jgreen@lansingchamber.org. ThurSdAy, decemBer 6 ChaMbeR 360, 8 10:00 a.m., Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Insurance Capital Board Room, 500 E. Michigan Ave., Ste. 200, Lansing, MI 48912. New, veteran and prospective members are encouraged to attend Chamber 360, sponsored by ASK, to learn about the full range of Chamber benefits and how to maximize your investment. Meet our staff and find out how we are working for you through business growth and advocacy initiatives, exclusive member benefit programs, member exposure, networking and educational event opportunities. This is a FREE event, but space is limited. To register for this event, please visit www.lansingchamber.org. ThurSdAy, decemBer 6 2012 aThena awaRD PReSenTaTiOn,11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center. We honor the 2012 recipient and take a look back at the history of the ATHENA Award at this celebratory event. $55 member, $440 table of eight. To register for this event, please visit www.lansingchamber.org. TueSdAy, decemBer 11 hOLiDay MixeR, 5 - 7 p.m., MSUFCU Headquarters, 3777 West Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823. Sponsored by Michigan State University Federal Credit Union. $10 member, $30 non-member. Includes hors doeuvres. ThurSdAy, decemBer 13 2013 eCOnOMiC fOReCaST LunCheOn, 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m., Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, East Lansing. Speaker: Mitch Stapley, chief fixed income officer, Fifth Third Asset Management. Sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. This event is part of the 2012 Economic Club Speaker Series. Program begins at noon; please arrive early for registration & networking. Single tickets $40, or tables of 8 $300 (includes lunch). Pre-registration is required. To register for this event, please visit www.lansingchamber.org.
East Lansing/Meridian Government Relations Committee Meetings have been postponed for the rest of the 2012 season. They will resume in 2013.

Event cost is complimentary for these enhanced membership levels:

Bronze Gold Silver Platinum

Focus.November.2012

Welcome New Members

BTu marketing Services, llc 12780 Kingsgate Way Grand Ledge, MI 48837 (517) 899-6228 btumarketingservices.com Judge conv, inc. 51012 M 51 N Dowagiac, MI 49047 (248) 782-5035 Total vein care clinic / North 44 medspa 3515 Coolidge Rd., Ste. B East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 999-3939 north44medspa.com Apex Precision Solutions 4200 Legion Dr. Mason, MI 48854 (517) 978-2739 apexprecisionsolutions.com vicious Swag 505 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Lansing, MI 48912 (517) 894-4873 hostetler Fontaine & Associates 7804 Francis Ct., Ste. 200 Lansing, MI 48917 (517) 622-4878 hfarehab.com Product resource company 2220 Raymond Dr. Lansing, MI 48906 (517) 484-8400 productresourcecompany.com michigan State university, college of human medicine Sparrow Professional Building, Ste. 640 1200 East Michigan Ave. Lansing, MI 48912 (616) 233-1678 humanmedicine.msu.edu Faiths Pillows 4024 Windward Dr. Lansing, MI 48911 (517) 580-2284 faithspillows.com

Please remember to use the member login portion of the Chamber website to keep your contact information up-to-date. This will ensure that you receive all Chamber communications in a timely manner. Contact us at 517.487.6340 if you have any questions or are not receiving our communications.

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Focus.November.2012

Thank You Renewing Members

Aldi Lorann Oils, Inc. M P C Cashway Lumber, Inc. Meridian Mall Office NCG Eastwood Cinema Nethaway & Clausen, PC Paramount Coffee Pleune Service Company Portland Iron & Metal, Inc. Rapids Tumble Finish, Inc. Red Cedar Cafe Espresso & Bakery Rizzi Designs, LLC RSI Logistics, Inc. Schultz, Inc.

Chamber Milestones
Wed like to offer a special salute to these great organizations that reached milestone anniversaries as Chamber members this month. Thank you for your continued support through the years!

American Red Cross-Mid Michigan Chapter Astera Credit Union Campbell Inc. Press Repair Canada Dry Bottling Co. of Lansing Capital Area District Library Capital Internal Medicine Associates, P.C. CASE Credit Union Castillo & Associates Consultants, Inc. Cellular & More Christine A. Tenaglia City of East Lansing Cusmano Kandler & Reed, Inc. DBI We Do Office Delta Dental of Michigan Doty Agency, Inc. Ecosynthetix, Inc. Gerald L. Gilroy, D.O., P.C. Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Greater Lansing Chapter United Nations Assn.-USA Greater Lansing Paint Company, LLC Greene Wealth Management

Small Business Association of Michigan Sprint Stark Agency, Inc. Tee To Green Printing & Promotional Products The English Inn TranSystems Corporation Triterra Woodworks & Design Co., Inc. XG Sciences, Inc.

American Red CrossMid Michigan Chapter

35 years

CASE Credit Union

30 years

T.L. Hart, Inc.

25 years

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan

25 years

Kendall Electric & Lighting

25 years

Paramount Coffee
20 years

Rapids Tumble Finish, Inc.

20 years

Castillo & Associates Consultants, Inc.

15 years

NCG Eastwood Cinema

10 years

i2Integration Jungle Jane Promotions Kelley Cawthorne Kendall Electric & Lighting Kramer Management Group Inc. Lambert, Edwards & Associates, Inc. Lansing Community College Lansing Glass Co. Lansing Vineyard Church Lexington Lansing Hotel

Jungle Jane Promotions

5 years

Lansing Vineyard Church

5 years

Cellular & More

5 years

TranSystems Corporation
5 years

i2Integration
5 years

Focus.November.2012

International
Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Leads Local Delegation of Business Leaders on China Trip

Members of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce delegation arrive in China.

Members of the China delegation, (l-r): Deb Muchmore (Marketing Resource Group), Tim Daman (LRCC), brent Case (Capital Region international airport) and Kristin beltzer (LRCC).

A Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) led delegation of 24 regional business and education leaders recently returned from a ten-day trip to China. The Lansing-to-China trip included visits to the historic cities of Beijing, Suzhou and Shanghai. Members had the opportunity to see top tourist destinations such as the Great Wall of China,

The Forbidden City, Temple of the Heavens, Tiananmen Square and visited various factories to see how Chinese products are made. They also experienced authentic Chinese cuisine, as well as numerous global business and networking opportunities. The delegation of business leaders also attended a networking reception in Beijing and business

briefing in Shanghai, which provided opportunities to meet their Chinese counterparts and learn more about Chinese markets and business development opportunities. The local delegation returned from China after the deadline for this months FOCUS. Well have reaction from those on the trip and more photos in our December edition.

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Focus.November.2012

Government Relations
LRC-PAC Supports 57 Candidates in November Election

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LRC-PaC held a fundraiser to support its endorsed candidates for Meridian Township offices. Pictured l-r: Township Clerk candidate Jim hershiser, Tonia Olson (LRC-PaC) and Township Supervisor candidate andy Such.

The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee (LRC-PAC) has endorsed 57 candidates for key state and local races on the November 6 general election ballot. Races in which the LRC-PAC has made endorsements includes: State House of Representatives, Ingham County Commission, Ingham County Treasurer, Clinton County Commission, Delhi Township, Eaton County Commission, Delta Township, Meridian Township, and the Lansing Community College Board of Trustees. We were pleased to be able to identify so many outstanding candidates who support our vision for the region, said Kristin Beltzer, vice president for government relations and public affairs for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. It is important that we have public officials that are willing to take a bipartisan approach to addressing issues that will promote business investment and job growth in the Greater Lansing area.

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2012 ATHENA Awards Luncheon

Thursday, December 6, 2012 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center Tickets: $55 (member) $75 (non-member) Table of eight: $440 Registration: www.lansingchamber.org

2012 Celebration of Regional Growth Leaders in the 21st Century Economy

from page 1
lANSiNg BOArd OF wATer ANd lighT (Bwl) The Lansing Board of Water and Lights $182 million REO Town Cogeneration Plant and Headquarters project has been hailed as a game-changer by regional economic experts. Its a job-creating catalyst in that it is providing employment for 1,000 construction workers and will eventually house 180 BWL employees, said BWL CEO J. Peter Lark. Weve also gone into REO Town and repaired Peter Lark the Grand Trunk Western Railroad Depot and turned a large vacant lot into beautiful new buildings that will greatly enhance the neighborhood. The cogeneration plant will also be an environmental game-changer. The facility will be BWLs first natural gas-fired steam and electric generation facility. Switching to natural gas will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent when the current steam plant is decommissioned. By using natural gas, BWL will avoid burning 139,000 tons of coal each year, said Lark. Across our electric footprint we will reduce our carbon output by 20 percent. Thats huge, and something which people in the Lansing region should be proud. The BWL Reo Town cogeneration plant is expected to be operational on July 1, 2013. The adjoining BWL headquarters is scheduled for move-in in the fall of 2013, along with completion of the historic train depot. NeTvANTAge mArkeTiNg (emergiNg ecONOmy AwArd) When Adam Henige and Joe Ford founded Netvantage Marketing in 2008, they were convinced they had identified a market niche that would be in great demand. The Netvantage partners knew from their backgrounds adam henige and Joe ford in Internet consulting that most companies in that industry were focused on design and programming. Netvantage was created to focus on search marketing. People gravitated to us because of that singular focus, said Ford. Growth has been rapid in the past four years, as the East Lansing-based firm has regularly experienced double and triple digit growth. Netvantage has expanded to a staff of 11, moved to a new headquarters in downtown East Lansing, and recently opened a second office in Grand Rapids. The company counts many major corporations among its clients including General Motors, DTE Energy, Neogen and Michigan State University. Though the partners insist they want to be measured in their growth strategies, they expect the solid increases to continue. As long as people need the Internet to grow their business, the future looks good, said Henige.

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Focus.November.2012

Economic Club
Delta Dental CEO: We are Committed to the Lansing Region
stored the records of all of its customers on index cards. Today, the company has 11 million subscribers and is recognized for its state-of-the art data storage and security systems. Delta Dental has invested heavily in the region. The company has 600 employees between its Okemos headquarters and Farmington Hills location. The company recently completed construction of a 90,000-square-foot facility in Okemos, plus a 20,000-square-foot addition to the existing structure. The project, which created 884 construction jobs, also included a 22,500-square-foot data center. Czelada also addressed the uncertainty surrounding how dental coverage will be affected when the federal healthcare reform takes affect in 2014, noting that the November election could change the future of the law. Czelada said Delta Dental does support the new laws current mandate that all children have dental coverage. Its the best thing for our country, said Czelada. Hopefully that will remain.

Delta Dental has called the Greater Lansing region home since its startup in 1957 and, according to the companys CEO, they will remain in this region for the long haul. Laura Czelada, President & CEO, made those remarks during her presentation before 400 people at the October Economic Club luncheon.

Despite the economic downturn of the past few years, we have continued to grow, and we are committed to this region, said Czelada. The story of Delta Dentals growth is quite remarkable. For many years, after initially being approved to sell insurance in 1963, the company

Fifth Third Executive to Deliver 2013 Economic Forecast At December Economic Club Luncheon
Mitch Stapley, chief fixed income officer for Fifth Third Asset Management, will present his 2013 economic forecast at the December 13 Economic Club luncheon. The December Economic Club has traditionally featured a look-ahead to the economic outlook for the coming year. Mitch Stapley has been with Fifth Third since 1988 and is responsible for all fixed income management. Fifth Third Asset Management manages assets in excess of $21.3 billion. Stapley has appeared as a guest on NBC, CNBC and Bloomberg News and has been featured in Forbes, Barrons, The Chicago Tribune, the Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and many other publications.

Focus.November.2012

Membership Services
2012 ATHENA Award to be Presented on December 6

The 2012 aThena award winner will join a prestigious group of 30 community leaders who have received the award since 1982, including those who attended last years luncheon honoring nancy McKeague. Pictured l-r: Paula blanchard-Stone, helen Mickens, Tiffany Dowling, Dr. MaryLee Davis, Marianne Samper, Theda Rudd, Marcia Spencer, nell Kuhnmuench, nancy McKeague, Sue Mills, eva evans, Sheri Jones, Paula Cunningham and Carol Conn.

The 2012 ATHENA Award recipient will be recognized at the third annual ATHENA Awards luncheon, scheduled for Thursday, December 6 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center. The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce will announce this years winner in early November. The recipient was selected from nominations that were submitted from the public. The Lansing Regional Chamber will also recognize the 2012 ATHENAPowerlink recipient at the luncheon. The year-long mentoring program matches the recipient with a panel of local business leaders who provide assistance in reaching her business goals and objectives. Heidi Brumbach with Technisch Creative was the 2011 recipient.

The ATHENA Award honors women who strive toward the highest levels of professional accomplishment, who excel in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community, and who paves paths for other women to follow. The ATHENA Award celebrates the potential of all women as leaders of the community and recognizes those who support them. Since the award was established in 1982, 30 outstanding community leaders have been selected as ATHENA recipients. Nancy McKeague of the Michigan Hospital Association was the 2011 ATHENA honoree. Individual tickets to attend the ATHENA Awards are $55 for Chamber members and $75 for non-members. A table of eight is $440. Registration can be completed at www.lansingchamber.org.

Previous Athena Award recipients

1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 Dr. MaryLee Davis Lucille E. Belen Sister Mary Janice Belen Alyson W. Steele Martha Mertz Marcia Jensen Spencer Hortense G. Canady, Ph.D. Mildred Erickson The Honorable Debbie Stabenow Eva Evans, Ph.D. Patrick D Hanes Dawn E. Springer, M.D. Helen Pratt Mickens Priscilla J. Peterson Michigan State University (Belens Flowers) Diocese of Lansing Uniforce Staffing Services Mayhood/Mertz Moore/Jensen Associates, Inc. (Lansing Community College) (Michigan State University) U.S. Senate (Lansing School District - Retired) Hanes & Associates Robertson/Springer/ Chebli Family Practice Thomas M. Cooley Law School Management Recruiters/Office 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Joan E.Bauer Marianne E. Samper Sandra Draggoo Suzanne Beekman Mills Virginia Hilbert Mary Ellen Sheets Carol Conn Theda Rudd Lou Anna K. Simon Paula Cunningham Sheri Jones Paula Blanchard-Stone Rachelle Neal Tiffany Dowling Nell Kuhnmuench Nancy McKeague Michigan House of Representatives Willingham & Cote, P.C. CATA Arts Council Of Greater Lansing PTD Technology Two Men & A Truck Capitol Fundraising Associates Michigan State University Michigan State University Capitol National Bank WLNS-TV Paula Blanchard Companies Capitol Research Services M3 - Motion, Marketing & Media GCSI Michigan Health and Hosp. Assoc.

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Focus.November.2012

Membership Services
Healthcare Panel: Employers Need Expert Help to Prepare for Healthcare Reform

Smart entrepreneurs are risk-takers. Except when it comes to health coverage.

Panelists speaking at the 2012 healthcare forum, l-r: alisa bennett (blue Cross blue Shield of Michigan), Timothy Durso (The Centennial Group), Suzanne Chan (auto-Owners insurance), Johanna novak (foster, Swift, Collins & Smith P.C.). Rick wright (McLarenGreater Lansing). at the podium is moderator Gary McRay (foster, Swift, Collins and Smith, P.C.)

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January 1, 2014. Thats a date employers and employees need to have highlighted on their calendar, because thats when the employer mandate takes affect as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act adopted one year ago. An expert panel speaking at the Lansing Regional Chambers 2012 Healthcare Forum told the audience that employers need to consult with their insurance agents, attorney, CPA and/or financial advisors to gain a clear understanding of what options are available for what most call a complex and sometimes confusing law. Panelists also agreed that healthcare costs will certainly increase. Healthcare reform is not pushing rates down, said Timothy Durso, president of The Centennial Group. We also expect higher co-pays and deductibles. We dont know what the percentages will be because they will fluctuate depending on what employers need to do to come into compliance (with the new law), said Alisa Bennett, manager, group business health care reform team at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Some people might see rates go down. Hospitals also face cost challenges connected with healthcare reform. Rick Wright, president & CEO of McLaren-Greater Lansing, predicted that even though costs will be going up, reimbursements to hospitals and doctors will not. I would challenge anyone who suggests that the government will put more money into healthcare, said Wright. Smaller employers will face their own set of challenges as they will have to weigh the cost of providing healthcare insurance versus the possible loss of talent to other companies if they require employees to instead enter the state health exchanges. Panelists again urged employers to study up on the new law and work with their expert advisors to sort through their options.

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Focus.November.2012

Members On The Move

PeOPle NewS Fifteen attorneys from the Lansing office of Foster, Swift, collins & Smith, P.c., have been named by Michigan Super Lawyers as top lawyers in the State of Michigan for 2012: charles e. Barbieri, Allan J. claypool, melissa J. Jackson, charles A. Janssen, Stephen i. Jurmu, richard kraus, david m. lick, Stephen J. lowney, Scott l. mandel, gary J. mcray, Thomas r. meagher, douglas A. mielock, Frank h. reynolds, webb A. Smith and Sherry A. Stein. Five attorneys from the Lansing office of Foster, Swift, collins & Smith, P.c. were included on Super Lawyers Michigan Rising Stars list: dana m. Bennett, Jennifer kildea dewane, liza c. moore, Joshua k. richardson and david r. russell. ASk has announced that Juan ruiz and devin montague have joined the team as technical consultants. yeo & yeo, cPAs is pleased to announce that J.d. Boydston, cPA, has been appointed the director of quality control for the firm.

J.D. boydston

Pictured (left to right) Row 1: hon. Louise alderson, amy Timmer, audrey forbush; Row 2: Rebecca walsh, hon. Susan Dobrich. Photo Credit: Mark bialek

Jane Olney

Robert v. Crane

fred Goers

The cASe credit union membership recently elected Jane Olney, robert v. crane and Fred goers to three year terms on the credit unions nine member Board of Directors. President Lawrence Carter, the administration, faculty and Board of Trustees of great lakes christian college are delighted to announce that Professor of New Testament, ronald dean Peters has earned the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Christian Theology) from McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton, Ontario.
Ronald Dean Peters

On Thursday, Sept. 27, five cooley graduates, including Cooley Associate dean Amy Timmer, were honored at the 2012 Women in the Law luncheon in Troy, Mich. The award recognizes and acknowledges the meaningful and inspiring contributions these women make to the legal community and for their excellence in the practice of law. Besides Timmer, other Cooley graduates honored at the awards celebration included: Judge louise Alderson, 54A District Court, Lansing; Audrey Forbush, partner, Plunkett Cooney PC, Flint; rebecca walsh, partner, Reiter & Walsh PC, Bloomfield Hills and Judge Susan dobrich, Cass County Probate Court, Cassopolis. Michigan Supreme Court Justice Marilyn Kelly was named Michigan Lawyers Weeklys Woman of the Year. Paul Ntoko has been selected as vice president of food & beverage for lansing entertainment & Public Facilities Authority. After a thorough national search, davenport university has hired Peg luy as the Universitys new executive vice president for advancement. Joan meinke has been appointed the interim executive director for the South Central Michigan Chapter of the American red cross.
Peg Luy

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Focus.November.2012

Members On The Move

Patty lloyd Barnas recently joined Troy-based Flagstar Bank as their first vice president in business banking. Seventeen lawyers from Fraser Trebilcock were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2013. Those selected include: douglas J. Austin, Stephen l. Burlingame, michael e. cavanaugh, graham crabtree, Anita Fox, Jennifer heston, max Patty Lloyd barnas r. hoffman, Jr., Peter d. houk, elizabeth latchana, darrell lindman, david e.S. marvin, Thaddeus morgan, Brian P. morley, gary c. rogers, Thomas l. Sparks, marlaine c. Teahan and ryan m. wilson. Michigan health care attorney max hoffman was recently named to the Fellows Program at the Annual Meeting of the Health Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. Hoffman is a shareholder with Fraser Trebilcock. meadows and Brian Quinn were included on Super Lawyers Michigan Rising Stars list. gary c. rogers of Fraser Trebilcock was named 2013 Lawyer of the Year, by Best Lawyers.

cOmPANy NewS mSu Federal credit union recently teamed up with Michigan State Universitys College of Communication Arts & Sciences and Game for Entertainment and Learning to design Spartan Villa, an IOS game available for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, targeted toward MSU students and other young adults. A local childrens television show, lrN 101, has won two national awards for their educational programming in the Greater Lansing area. LRN 101 won the 2012 Hometown Media Award in the Professional Category for Magazine Shows hosted by the Alliance for Community Media, which recognizes the best community media programming each year. LRN 101 also won a bronze Telly in the education category at the 33rd Annual Telly Awards. In its 2013 edition of Americas Best Colleges, U.S. News & World Report ranks Olivet college in the top tier of Best Regional Colleges Midwest. This is the second consecutive year that Olivet has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report among the best of its peer institutions. mSu Federal credit union expanded its electronic services with the launch of MSUFCU Mobile, an application for iPhones and Android phones, now available in the Apple iTunes and Google Play stores. lansing Ophthalmology is pleased to announce that as of October 1, 2012, Central Eye Consultants is an affiliate of Lansing Ophthalmology. Central Eye Consultants has been a mainstay in the Mt. Pleasant community since 1983. lansing Ophthalmology is also pleased to announce the opening of their eleventh location, Genesee Retina Specialists, located at 5119 West Bristol Road, Flint, MI 48507. The Michigan Legislature recently appropriated funds to support the previously passed Agricultural Disaster Loan Origination Program of 2012. greenStone Farm credit Services will begin processing applications filed under this program immediately. rizzi designs, llc, a comprehensive marketing firm just west of Old Town proper, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Perspective 2, and the consequent renaming of the special events venue to Old Town Marquee. On Nov 12, 2012, the march of dimes will hold its 12th annual Signature Chefs Auction at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing. yeo & yeo, cPAs has been named one of Metropolitan Detroits 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For by the Michigan Business & Professional Association.

Max hoffman

Toni l. harris rejoined Fraser Trebilcock as a shareholder, after serving as general counsel for Puritan Financial Companies in Dallas, Texas for nearly two years.

Toni L. harris

miller canfield announces that three of its lawyers from the Lansing office were selected by their peers as Lawyers of the Year, including: william J. danhof, harvey J. messing and clifford w. Taylor. clark construction announces the following new employees: matt duda has been hired as a desktop administrator, and colin martin has been hired as a senior project manager.
Matt Duda Colin Martin

Jose yanez of Full circle Financial Planning has been selected as Hispanic Entrepreneur of the Year by the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan. The following lawyers from the Lansing office of honigman miller Schwartz and cohn have been named Michigan Super Lawyers as top lawyers in the State of Michigan for 2012: kenneth Brooks, eric eggan, June haas, Timothy knowlton, John Pirich, Patrick van Tiflin and richard Zecchino. h. kirk

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Focus.November.2012

Members On The Move

In honor of highfields 50 years of serving at-risk families and children, the dart Foundation is awarding a $50,000 grant to the mid-Michigan human service agency. Supported by a $225,000, two-year grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Michigan Economic Center at the Prima civitas Foundation has launched the Michigan Dream Restored project. Michigan Dream Restored will develop policies for public good investment strategies based on citizen input.

With you as you lead.

Ross Woodstock Executive and Professional Coaching

Kolt Communications

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Ross@Koltpr.com | 517-706-0001 www.ROSSWOOdSTOck.com

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Focus.November.2012

Chamber In Action

The Lansing Regional Chambers October Member Mixer was held at the stately english inn near eaton Rapids. The english inns eric nelson welcomed the jovial Chamber crowd.

The team at The english inn prepared a scrumptious selection of their finest hor doeuvres for Chamber members who enjoyed the festive evening. Staff and ambassadors from the Lansing Regional Chamber provided a grand opening ribbon cutting on October 19, 2012 for the Residence inn by Marriott 922 Delta Commerce Dr.,Lansing 48917. from left: Shelley Cardenas, Mike DeMartelaere, Susan hengesbach, ashley Maher, Debbie engel, arnie Keyes, ashley Meyers, Kim Langenberg, Rich Porco, Jennifer wagemann, Cynthia eiseler, Jason Green, Melissa nay.

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Since 1966, C2AE has had strong roots in Lansing. With 5 offices in Michigan, projects in 7 states and 3 countries, our brand is evolving, representing the true character of all we do.

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Architecture, Engineering & Planning c2ae.com 866.454.3923 L A N S I N G GAY LO R D G R A N D R A PI D S E S CA N A BA K A L A M A ZO O

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